DEFINITION

Under immediate to general supervision and direction, collects and preserves evidence and performs varied and complex tests and analyses of physical substances in the Division of Criminal Investigation Crime Laboratory as a part of the scientific investigation of crimes; performs related work as required.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED

• Analyzes body tissues to ascertain the presence of drugs, narcotics, alcohol or poisons for toxicology purposes.
• Analyzes and compares handwriting, printing, typewriting, type-set print, photographs and other types of printed material to ascertain the author of the material or demonstrate relationships between two materials.
• Identifies and compares fingerprints, footwear, foot and palm impressions, tire treads and serial numbers to identify persons and/or materials used in criminal activities.
• Writes laboratory reports on analyses conducted on physical evidence to reflect the identification, grouping or characteristics of materials that have been submitted for analysis.
• Presents testimony at grand jury proceedings, preliminary hearings, or trials in order to interpret, present and clarify evidence and test results.
• Instructs laboratory personnel (on-the-job training) in the proper methods of submitting laboratory paper work, new lab techniques, operating lab equipment, and policies in the laboratory.
• Identifies and compares tool marks, fired bullets, cartridge cases, distance determinations, firearm discharges and residues in order to determine the physical and chemical aspects of unknowns and to show similarities to knowns.
• Analyzes physiological stains such as blood and body fluids to determine, identify, and group as to origin or species.
• Examines beverages, blood, urine, body fluids, and post-mortem human organs to determine if alcohol, drugs and/or poisons are present for toxicology purposes, and to identify the type and quantity of the substance present.
• Analyzes chemical reagents purchased by or developed in the laboratory to determine if they will perform the task they are designed to achieve.
• Identifies and compares materials such as glass, paint, soil, flammable materials, metals, greases, ink, alcoholic beverages, gun powder residues or other hard trace evidence to ascertain if they came from a common source or determine what the item is.
• Identifies and conducts quantitative analysis of drugs and alcoholic substances.

KNOWLEDGES, ABILITIES, SKILLS, AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Knowledge of the use of chemical and physical analysis instruments and/or equipment (i.e., microscope, ultra-violet spectrophotometer, infrared apparatus, thin layer chromatography apparatus) in a laboratory.
• Knowledge of the nature of physical evidence and the proper collection procedures and documentation of physical substances obtained in criminal investigations.
• Knowledge of proper laboratory procedures and equipment, instrumentation, chemicals, and other materials used in the laboratory.
• Knowledge of journals, textbooks and other information resources and their application to a specific analysis.
• Knowledge of chemistry, biochemistry, toxicology, physics, biology, and microanalysis as they relate to lab analysis of physiological body fluids and organs, alcohol, drugs, poisons, hair samples, paint and documents.
• Knowledge of the physical characteristics of physiological stains, human organs, alcohol, drugs, poisons, human and animal hair, fibers and textiles, and paint so as to appropriately identify the substance for the purpose of conducting the proper analysis.
• Knowledge of methods used to illustrate information for use in reports and support testimony in criminal investigations.
• Knowledge of laboratory reporting procedures.
• Ability to maintain composure while under cross-examination in a court of law regarding scientific and personal qualifications.
• Ability to determine size, color, smell and shape of objects in order to identify evidence.
• Ability to follow laboratory investigation procedures, observe reactions, record and interpret results, and arrive at conclusions.
• Ability to read graphs and charts resulting from instrumentation output.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing in order to testify and present physical evidence and accurately record results of investigations.
• Ability to adapt theories and principles of natural and physical sciences to problems encountered in the analysis of substances.
• Ability to recognize and select those items which should be analyzed.
• Ability to recognize evidential materials and package evidence properly and securely. Ability to use lab equipment, chemicals and instruments in conducting analyses of substances submitted to the laboratory as a part of the investigation of a criminal case.
• Ability to conduct tests using lab equipment, chemicals and instrumentation to obtain results.

If you qualify and want to obtain application information send e-mail to the Iowa Department of Personnel at: idopstatejobs@ia-omni.com.

• For more job listings, return to the Crime Scene Investigator Employment Page
• To learn how to get a job in crime scene investigations, go to the Training and Employment Page